The idea for eGodparent came from a conversation
between Peter West and his old friend, Chris Bain, about how poorly they
fulfilled their Godparental responsibilities towards each other's children.

They quickly saw that the Internet was the perfect medium for:

bringing together information about what Godparenting means and sharing
experiences

operating a reminder service for Godchildren's birthdays etc

recommending appropriate gifts that children would appreciate

They scoured the Internet to see what was already available and found
precious little other than some Christening gift shops and a site called
Godparent.org, which is about a home for pregnant teenagers in the Blue
Ridge Mountains! And so eGodparent was born.

We have asked representatives from the major Christian
churches in the UK to contribute their thoughts on what Godparenting means
in the 21st century. We have also canvassed the thoughts of people outside
the Church as to what it can mean to those who see it as a spiritual rather
than a religious obligation. However, this is a site for Godparents. We
have already gathered some stories of Godparenting, good and bad, and
we would really like to hear more. So, if you had a brilliant Godparent,
tell us what they did that was so great; and if you think you have got
it just right with your Godchildren, tell us how you do it, so we can
all share and learn.

We also found, with the help of our own
children and other friends and family advisors, we could put together
a list of gifts suitable for specific ages and gender. Our selection
is far more diverse and interesting than can be found under the
roof of any toy shop or gift shop, or, for that matter, in any of
the internet sites we trawled. Some have more toys, some have more
books, but we have tried to provide a wide variety of presents,
while reducing the mind-boggling array you can sometimes find, to
a manageable selection. And all at competitive prices. We are sure
you can think of great presents we do not stock. We would, therefore,
really like to hear any suggestions. We have only just started and
we hope to increase the range substantially next year, so please
feel free to contribute.Click here

eGodparent supports a number of different charities:
Peter and Chris have for some years supported children in Africa and India
through World Vision and they are keen to continue this support through
eGodparent. So please excuse us if we ask you, when you make a purchase
on the site, to think for a moment about what a similar amount would buy
for a child in Ethiopia, Bangladesh etc. If you do not know their work
already, go and look at the World
Vision site for yourself and see what they do. Think of sponsoring
a child and encouraging your own Godchild to get involved - maybe do a
project on it for school.

We are offering two animal adoption schemes as gifts.
These do not mean you have to buy gifts for those animals until they are
confirmed! We just felt that adopting an animal, be it a rhino at Whipsnade
or an elephant at the Born Free Foundation in Kenya, would be a thought
provoking gift for a Godchild. Both our charities and eGodparent make
nothing out of passing on your contribution.

Elizabeth Handy, our wonderful portrait photographer,
available in the 'Fantastic Gifts' category, has agreed to waive any fees,
but ask, instead for a contribution to be made to one of a number of child-related
charities.

Peter
has, until now, been a pretty inadequate Godfather to Hamish
(aged 12) and Richard (aged 14). He hasn't yet taken either
of them to see Everton FC play (but maybe they are grateful
for that). Perhaps because his own children are both girls,
he has never been very good with boys' presents but he has
just given Jostein Garder's "Hello, is anybody there?"
to Hamish. This is a wonderfully inspirational book about
the world, life and what it's all about - not to be read by
a child, although it is easy enough for that, but a perfect
book to be read and talked about with a Godparent.

Peter hopes to do better now he has got
their details registered on the site.

A
similarly inadequate Godfather to Isadora (14), James (18)
and Rosie (8), Chris also has four kids of his own; Finlay
(14), Hamish (12), Angus (10) and Flora (8), who are all present
consultants for eGodparent! All of them have been at one time
or another to see him play the flute (or piccolo), in the
pit at London's "Phantom of the Opera" or at the
Royal Opera House. He can also frequently be heard and seen
on TV, radio and concert platform with the BBC Concert Orchestra.
Most summers he can be spotted on a beach on the south coast
of England dressed as a clown and showing children the best
ways to fall off a windsurfer. As a Godparent he has always
been full of good intent... hopes to do better now he has
got their details registered on the site.
"My goodness is Isadora really ten already?" - "No
- she is 14!"

Maybe
it's just because Godmothers are much better than Godfathers
that Sue has acquired more than a few over the years: Stephanie
(33), James, (29), Hannah (28), Angus (26), Emily (26), Anna
(24), Lucy (24), Jeannie (23), Kate (20), Henry (18), Richard
(13,) and Lily (7) (just to prove she can still remember them
all!)

In their early years it was difficult
to see them on a regular basis and form relationships with them,
but James, Jeannie, Emily and Lucy have all been to stay for a few
days at a time in their teenage years.

Sue firmly believes that Godparents can
really come into their own for older children, post Confirmation,
when a relationship with an adult outside the immediate family can
prove invaluable and provide a bridge between parents and child.